Maryland Wrong Way Crashes

When 64-year-old John Quame De Love travelled Interstate 695 in the wee hours of the morning one August day, he couldn’t have imagined that another vehicle would come barreling toward him in his lane, and slam into his Chevy Malibu. Not unlike many other wrong-way collisions across the country, the crash was fatal for an innocent driver who happened to be in the wrong place at the wrong time.

Wrong Way Driving Facts 

Roughly four percent of fatal crashes in this country are caused by wrong way drivers, which amounts to roughly 500 deaths every year. That number has been steadily increasing, with alcohol impairment being the number one element connected to these fatalities—to the tune of 60 percent. Since so many of these incidents result in head-on collisions, serious injuries and deaths are very likely.

 Mitigating the Danger 

With wrong-way crashes about a dozen lives every year, the state has invested in signage, lights, and pavement markings to direct drivers away from making this tragic error. Nonetheless, the number of these kinds of accidents continues to rise.

Causes of Wrong Way Driving 

What precipitates drivers going the wrong direction on a Maryland roadway?  There are many potential issues, including:

1. Being under the influence of prescription or illegal drugs or alcohol;
2. Experiencing distractions and simply not paying attention;
3. Being young and inexperienced drivers;
4. Driving  recklessly and ignoring warnings and signals;
5. Being unfamiliar with the area and becoming disoriented or confused;
6. Suffering from dementia;
7. Being confused by road markings or signs;
8. Suffering health issues, resulting in poor decision-making;
9. Being rushed and not taking time to read signs;
10. Experiencing a medical emergency;
11. Vacationing from a foreign country with different driving rules.

If You Find Yourself Wrong Way Driving 

What if you’re the person who accidentally wound up going the wrong direction on the road? What should you do?  Some recommendations include:

1. Pulling over to the side of the road and stopping;
2. Turning around only when there is a safe opportunity to do so.

If a Wrong Way Driver is Coming Your Way 

What could be more chilling than seeing a driver headed toward you in your lane? Above all else, keep your cool:

1. Slow down;
2. Pull over;
3. Notify authorities.

The Aftermath 

If you or a loved one has been the victim of a wrong-way driving collision, the emotional and financial toll may seem overwhelming. The experienced La Plata & Waldorf personal injury attorneys at The Law Office of Hammad S. Matin, P.A. can help you recover damages to address costs associated with the incident, including lost wages and more. To discuss, schedule a confidential consultation today.

Source:

news.maryland.gov/msp/2024/08/01/maryland-state-police-investigate-fatal-wrong-way-suspected-dui-crash-in-baltimore-county/